LIVE OAK, FL — The 3rd Annual Suwannee Roots Revival takes place Thursday, October 11 – Sunday, October 14 at the magical Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) in Live Oak, Florida. With multiple stages throughout the weekend (Amphitheater Stage, Porch Stage, Dance Tent, Music Hall, and Music Farmer’s Stage) Suwannee Roots Revival is jam-packed with stellar music and dance and many bands will perform multiple sets. This family-friendly festival includes four days of music, camping, yoga, music workshops, a Kids Tent, as well as campground pickin’ sessions. Set in the midst of 800 acres of Spanish moss-draped oak and cypress trees along the Suwannee River, the venue is a playground for endless activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, disc golf, and biking. We are thrilled to announce the daily schedules of music here → www.suwanneerootsrevival.com/schedule.

Keller Williams’ Pettygrass featuring The HillBenders headlines Friday along with The Seldom Scene, and the first of three festival appearance by Donna the Buffalo. Friday hosts a plethora of stellar music including Rev Jeff Mosier, The Lee Boys, The HillBenders, a second appearance by Joe Craven & The Sometimers, The Lonely Heartstring Band, Katie Skene & The Cosmic Kind, Brett Bass & Melted Plectrum, Whetherman, Belle and the Band, second sets by The Grass Is Deadand Sauce Boss, Tornado Rider, Syzygy much more including, in the Dance Tent, Waltz Instruction & Waltz with The Walker Family Band, and Contra Dance Instruction & Contra Dance with The Dunehoppers.

Leftover Salmon makes their first appearance of the weekend as the Saturday night headliners. The day is jam-packed with music by Donna the Buffalo, Bruce Cockburn, Samantha Fish, Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, Jim Lauderdale, Verlon Thompson, David Gans will be hosting a workshop and is also an artist at large, Nikki Talley, The Corbitt Brothers, and Rushadicus as well as further sets with Tornado Rider and Rev Jeff Mosier, Joe Craven & The Sometimers, Whetherman, The Lee Boys, LPT, Brett Bass and Melted Plectrum, Waltz with The Walker Family Band, and Contra Dance Instruction with The Dunehoppers.

Sunday is always a special day closing out the festival with music and is “Vassar Day”, the day of remembrance for those lost that were dear to us. Donna the Buffalo will close out the festival with a a set and also will be bringing up guests artist that are still around for a fun-filled evening. Sunday sets include Leftover Salmon, Rev Jeff Mosier with The Grass Is Dead, Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, Jim Lauderdale, Verlon Thompson and more. David Gans will be broadcasting his SiriusXM Radio show “Tales from the Golden Road” live from the park.

Other special items to keep an eye out for are Yoga with Rhonda Bell on Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 9am at Dance Tent, Kids Tent Activities Daily with Tania & Magic Moon Traveling Circus along with a with Kids Talent Show on Sat Night, Bean Spence Paint Class, Kids Yoga and more. There will also be various workshops in Music Hall with many artist such as Seldom Scene, Bruce Cockburn, and more throughout the weekend.

Hosted by long time friends of SOSMP, Randy Judy and Beth Judy, Suwannee Roots Revival focuses on amazing roots music that ties together a weekend laced with community based fun, growing friendships, laughing families, and that feel good feeling you get from hanging out in such a beautiful natural setting.SOSMP offers guest comforts including a general store, full service restaurant, free showers, indoor bathrooms, and water stations. Upgraded camping, including RV hook ups and cabin rentals, as well as golf cart rentals are currently on sale. Reservations may be made by calling the Park office at (386) 364­-1683. SOSMP is located between Jacksonville, Florida & Tallahassee, Florida about 30 minutes south of the Georgia State line, about 45 minutes north of Gainesville and is host to a variety of events. Please visit the park’s web site atwww.musicliveshere.com for further information.Suwannee Roots Revival Full Lineup 2018Oteil & FriendsLeftover SalmonDonna the BuffaloKeller Williams’ PettyGrass Featuring The HillBendersPeter Rowan Free Mexican AirforceBruce CockburnThe Seldom SceneHorseshoes & Hand GrenadesSamantha Fish ShinyribsDustbowl RevivalJim LauderdaleVerlon ThompsonRev. Jeff MosierJon Stickley TrioThe Grass Is DeadJoe Craven & The SometimersThe Lonely Heartstring BandJonathan Scales FourchestraThe Lee BoysKatie Skene and The Cosmic KindTornado Rider Sauce BossBelle and The BandWhetherman Sloppy JoeQuartermoonThe Adventures of Annabelle Lyn Brett Bass and Melted PlectrumThe Corbitt BrothersNikki TalleySYZYGYThe DunehoppersLPT The Walker Family BandDavid Gans – Artist-at-LargeJeff Bradley – Comedy + Cool StuffSuwannee Spirit KidsTania & Magic Moon Traveling CircusThe Suwannee Roots Revival 2018 Art Poster by Artist Marci Davis will be available for purchase at Festival Merchandise.Further information atwww.SuwanneeRootsRevival.com. Also visit us on atwww.facebook.com/suwanneeroots,Twitter & Instagram: @SuwanneeRoots (#SuwanneeRoots)

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — LOVE CANON releases Cover Story, their 4th album, TODAY, July 13, 2018, on Organic Records. They are master instrumentalists with a charismatic lead vocalist, and they cleverly bring their acoustic-roots sensibilities to the electronic-tinged pop hits of the 80s and 90s to create a fresh set of classics. A plethora of special guests join in on the album including Dobro master Jerry Douglas, Aoife O’Donovan, Keller Williams, Michael Cleveland, and Eric Krasno, among others.

Blue Ridge Outdoors writes,“Love Canon is leading an eighties acoustic revival. But make no mistake. Love Canon is most definitely not a tribute band. This is not kitsch or schtick. These guys are bad ass pickers, with as much (if not more) prowess on their instruments as the bluegrass bands out there tackling more traditional Bill Monroe or Stanley Brothers standards. These guys prove their brilliance in their interpretations of these songs and the attention to detail and the work on Cover Story is simply genius.”The band’s diehard fans are music lovers first and are drawn to the wide-ranging stylings of lead singer and guitarist Jesse Harper matched with banjo master Adam Larrabee, mandolin pickin’ by Andy Thacker, Darrell Muller holding down the low-end on standup bass, and the slick sounds of resonator guitar king Jay Starling on the Beard MA-6. It’s acoustic rock! Acclaimed fiddler Alex Hargreaves [Turtle Island Quartet, Sarah Jarosz] does all of the fiddling on this record with the exception of two tracks, and he occasionally joins them on tour.

LOVE CANON has taken many of the suggestions called out at their high-energy live shows as well as from their guest performers to offer nine invigorating tracks to bring it to the max! From the instrumental album opener, “Prelude (Angry Young Man)” by Billy Joel, to the unforgettable chorus of Howard Jones’ “Things Can Only Get Better” to the 7/4 timing of Peter Gabriel’s “Solsbury Hill / Icecaps Of Pentatonia”(with guest vocalist Mark Errelli [Lori McKenna, Paula Cole and Josh Ritter]), they run the gamut of songs from the cassette generation.

When LOVE CANON was first thinking of putting together a guest artist record Jerry Douglas was at the top of their list. He not only acquiesced, but proposed the great Mr. Mister tune, “Kyrie Eleison.” Mike Barnett [Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, Bryan Sutton Band] joins in on fiddle for this track.

Aoife O’Donovan seamlessly blends her beautiful vocal harmonies with Harper on Paul Simon’s“Graceland,”and, with ten International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Fiddle Player of the Year awards under his belt, Michael Cleveland stepsin blazing on fiddle.

“Stripped of its slick ’70s country production and replaced with upbeat horns and killer harmonies, ‘Islands in the Stream’ is a perfect laid-back love ballad when performed by Love Canon,” writes The Boot about the band’s take on the Barry Gibb [Bee Gees] classic. It features Lauren Balthrop [Dear Georgiana, Balthrop Alabama, The Bandana Splits], singing the tarnation out of the Dolly Parton part, while Harper takes on Kenny Rogers complete with a saxophone and trumpet section at the end featuring Charlottesville Jazz legends Bobby Read and John D’earth [Bruce Hornsby and The Noisemakers].

Another great example of using bluegrass instrumentation to imitate the ambient electronic processed sounds is the very epic, cinematic version of Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy The Silence,” complete with a soaring string arrangement at the end by Trey Pollard of Richmond, Virginia’s Spacebomb Studios.Guitar hero Eric “Kraz” Krasno does a bang-up job with a fierce guitar solo on Squeeze’s “Tempted,” a song he recommended. Keller Williams brought the closing track, “Driver 8” (R.E.M.), to the band’sattention as a personal favorite; Keller wanted to do an uptempo bluegrass arrangement and LOVE CANON was envisioning a reggae/dub version, so they compromised and added the jaw-dropping classical fiddle work of Mike Barnett.As seasoned virtuoso string players who have been touring the mid-Atlantic since 2010, LOVE CANON stays true to the approach, arrangements, and keen artistry of these nostalgic hits. Cover Storywas engineered by Rob Evans at Dave Matthews Band’s Haunted Hollow Studio in the band’s hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia and mixed by Wayne Pooley, Bruce Hornsby’s Engineer/Producer. Cover Story is a follow up to the band’s previous efforts, Greatest Hits Volumes 1-3.With this adventurous chapter in their Cover Story, LOVE CANON proves they don’t just know music history but have a vision for where music can go.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA —LOVE CANON brings their acoustic-roots sensibilities to the electronic-tinged pop hits of the 80s and 90s to create Cover Story, their 4th album, due out on Organic RecordsJuly 13, 2018. With Cover Story, LOVE CANON delivers a fresh set of classics, crossing genres to recount music of decades past from the likes of Peter Gabriel, Billy Joel, Depeche Mode,and Paul Simon. The self-produced album hosts a plethora of special guests, including Jerry Douglas, Aoife O’Donovan, Keller Williams, Michael Cleveland, and Eric Krasno, among others.The band’s diehard fans are music lovers first and are drawn to the charismatic and wide-ranging vocal stylings of lead singer and guitarist Jesse Harper matched with banjo master Adam Larrabee, mandolin pickin’ by Andy Thacker, Darrell Muller holding down the low-end on standup bass, and the slick sounds of resonator guitar king Jay Starling on the Beard MA-6. It’s acoustic rock! Acclaimed fiddler Alex Hargreaves [Turtle Island Quartet, Sarah Jarosz] does all of the fiddling on this record with the exception of two tracks, and he occasionally joins the band on tour.As seasoned virtuoso string players who have been touring the mid-Atlantic since 2010, LOVE CANON stays true to the approach, arrangements, and keen artistry of these nostalgic hits. Cover Storywas engineered by Rob Evans at Dave Matthews Band’s Haunted Hollow Studio in LOVE CANON’s hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia and mixed by Wayne Pooley, Bruce Hornsby’s Engineer/Producer. Cover Story is a follow up to the band’s previous efforts, Greatest Hits Volumes 1-3.LOVE CANON has taken many of the suggestions called out at their high-energy live shows as well as from their guest performers to offer ten invigorating tracks to bring it to the max! From the instrumental album opener, “Prelude (Angry Young Man)” by Billy Joel, to the unforgettable chorus of Howard Jones’ “Things Can Only Get Better” to the 7/4 timing of Peter Gabriel’s “Solsbury Hill / Icecaps Of Pentatonia”(with guest vocalist Mark Errelli [Lori McKenna, Paula Cole and Josh Ritter]), they run the gamut of songs from the cassette generation.The songs in Cover Story become a vehicle for the band to demonstrate their prowess in translating the original pop production compositions into the modern day acoustic music framework to achieve a new and different, but satisfyingly similar, sonic effect. A great example of using bluegrass instrumentation to imitate the ambient electronic processed sounds is the very epic, cinematic version of Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy The Silence,” complete with a soaring string arrangement at the end by Trey Pollard of Richmond, Virginia’s Spacebomb Studios.

When LOVE CANON was first thinking of putting together a guest artist record Jerry Douglas was at the top of their list. He not only acquiesced, but proposed the great Mr. Mister tune, “Kyrie Eleison.” Mike Barnett [Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, Bryan Sutton Band] joins in on fiddle for this track.Aoife O’Donovan seamlessly blends her beautiful vocal harmonies with Harper on Paul Simon’s“Graceland,”and, with ten International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Fiddle Player of the Year awards under his belt, Michael Cleveland stepsin blazing on fiddle.Keller Williams brought “Driver 8” by R.E.M. to the band’sattention as a personal favorite; Keller wanted to do an uptempo bluegrass arrangement and LOVE CANON was envisioning a reggae/dub version, so they compromised and added the jaw-dropping classical fiddle work of Mike Barnett.Guitar hero Eric “Kraz” Krasno does a bang-up job with a fierce guitar solo on Squeeze’s“Tempted,” a song he recommended.LOVE CANON’s take on the Barry Gibb [Bee Gees] classic, “Islands In The Stream” features Lauren Balthrop [Dear Georgiana, Balthrop Alabama, The Bandana Splits], singing the tarnation out of the Dolly Parton part while Harper takes on Kenny Rogers complete with a saxophone and trumpet section at the end featuring Charlottesville Jazz legends Bobby Read and John D’earth [Bruce Hornsby and The Noisemakers].LOVE CANON and its individual members have shared the stage and studio with many notable acts over the years including Josh Ritter, Keller Williams, The Infamous Stringdusters, KD Lang, Emmylou Harris, Sara Bareilles, Huey Lewis and The News, John C. Reilly, Madeleine Peyroux, and Colbie Caillat, among others. They were the backing band for Keb Mo and Jason Mraz at SPARC performance LIVE ART event in Richmond, and performed as the house band at the Warren Haynes Christmas Jam in Asheville a couple of years in a row with sits-ins from Bruce Hornsby and Haynes, among others. Harper and Muller were members of acoustic supergroup Old School Freight Train and they performed shows with David Grisman (who also produced one of their albums), Ricky Skaggs, and Merle Haggard. LOVE CANON has performed at various events across the country including LOCKN’, Jam Cruise, FloydFest, Bourbon and Beyond (as part of the Bluegrass Situation Stage), and Gathering of the Vibes. They have also performed overseas live on the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) and RTE radio (Raidió Teilifís Éirean – Irish Public-service Broadcasting).With this adventurous chapter in their Cover Story, Love Canon proves they don’t just know music history but have a vision for where music can go.

LIVE OAK, FL — Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Suwannee Roots Revival featuring some of the finest in Americana, Bluegrass, Newgrass, Zydeco, Blues, and more! The event takes place Thursday, October 11 – Sunday, October 14 at the magical Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) in Live Oak, FL. Featured acts include Keller Williams’ PettyGrass Featuring The HillBenders, Donna the Buffalo, The Seldom Scene, Samantha Fish, Peter Rowan Free Mexican Airforce, Jim Lauderdale, Verlon Thompson, Rev. Jeff Mosier, The Lonely Heartstring Band, Tornado Rider, Joe Craven & The Sometimers, The Lee Boys, Sauce Boss, Belle and The Band, Whetherman, Quartermoon, Sloppy Joe, and Tania & Magic Moon Traveling Circus.With multiple stages (Amphitheater Stage, Porch Stage, Dance Tent, Music Hall, and Music Farmer’s Stage) Suwannee Roots Revival is jam-packed with stellar music and dance! A handful of bands will perform multiple sets and some artists will be participating in workshops throughout the weekend. This family-friendly festival includes four days of music, camping, yoga, a Kids Tent, as well as campground pickin’ sessions hosted by Sloppy Joe at Slopryland and Quartermoon at Bill Monroe Shrine as well as throughout SOSMP! Set in the midst of 800 acres of Spanish moss-draped oak and cypress trees along the Suwannee River, the venue is a playground for endless activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, disc golf, and biking.Live For Live Music’s Rex Thomson says, “Attendees of Roots have a long tradition of acknowledging greatness when they see it.” Greatness is what they will get!The extremely talented and innovative Keller Williams has thrilled Suwannee audiences many times over the years and Roots attendees will remember The HillBender’s mind-blowing performance of “The Who’s Tommy” in our first year. Coming together as Keller Williams’ PettyGrass Featuring The HillBenders, they pay tribute to Tom Petty who was a Gainesville native, a great fit for Suwannee with sing-alongs that some people didn’t even know they knew!Donna the Buffalo, known for their distinctive, groove-heavy, and danceable music, serves as the pillar of our weekend and returns for three days! Donna the Buffalo has performed at Spirit of Suwannee every Spring and Fall for over 20 years and their songs are part of the living amphitheater itself always closing out the Amphitheatre Stage on Sunday bringing up a plethora of special guests musicians from the weekend!The Seldom Scene is an award-winning bluegrass band established 1971 and they have been instrumental in starting the progressive bluegrass movement as their shows include bluegrass versions of country music, rock, and even pop. The band has a long history with the Spirit of the Suwannee indirectly through the Cornett family’s iconic Festival of the Bluegrass held annually in Lexington, KY. Established in 1974 by the same family that owns SOSMP, this family-run festival is June 7- 10, 2018. The Seldom Scene will now bring their talented musicians, signature sound, solid repertoire and sheer sense of fun to Suwannee Roots Revival.Samantha Fish makes her Suwannee debut! She is a rising star in the contemporary blues world with sublime acoustic guitar skills as well as rootsy, emotionally resonant songwriting. This charismatic young singer-guitarist-songwriter has earned a reputation as a guitar hero and powerful live performer.GRAMMY-award winner Peter Rowan is a singer-songwriter with a career spanning over five decades. From his early years playing under the tutelage of Bluegrass veteran Bill Monroe, to his time in Old & In the Way and his breakout as a solo musician and bandleader, and now his project, The Free Mexican Airforce, is flying again! This is Peter Rowan plugged in, a real treat!Jim Lauderdale has done and said everything you can say about bluegrass and Americana three times over and he still has plenty of fresh takes and inspiration pushing him ever forward. His appearances at SOSMP, be it as his own featured singer-songwriter sets of his varied and amazing sit ins with all of his many friends on the line-up, particularly those Americana rockers Donna the Buffalo. Come see what GRAMMY voters, fans radio program and music lovers in general have all agreed… Jim Lauderdale is an artist not to miss.For over thirty years, Verlon Thompson has been making his path as as a professional songwriter and traveling troubadour. Singer… songwriter… storyteller… Few are true masters of any one of those disciplines, but Verlon has put his stamp on each. As a solo performer, and as the trusted sidekick of Texas Americana songwriting icon Guy Clark, Verlon has viewed the world from stages everywhere from Barcelona to Binger (his hometown in Oklahoma). Thompson has a potent future head of him as an elder statesman of Americana itself. Simply put… when he speaks all should listen.The de facto spiritual leader of our music festival community here at the Spirit Of Suwannee has to be Rev. Jeff Mosier, and we’re totally fine to help him spread his vision and guidance through his communing with the divine. His quantification of the spiritual state of the Spirit of Suwannee nation is always spot on, and his sonic sermons on Sundays have left indelible marks on his fans, old and new alike. Scrugg’s-style banjo picker, Mosier is one of the earliest music pioneers who merged bluegrass instruments and traditional tunes with the magnetic energy of rock and roll, founded the jamgrass band Blueground Undergrass (BGUG) in 1998 after years of crafting his banjo skills in various bands, playing everything from bluegrass with his brother Johnny (Good Medicine) to experimental rock (Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit) to jazz-fusion (The Ear Reverents).Be on the lookout for additional artists to be added to this already incredible line up, including a group of bands designed specially to get you out on the Dance Tent Floor. We’ll have Contra, Cajun, and more – maybe even a little Salsa thrown in there for you! The festival is sure to inspire some special moments moments whether on stage or off and, as always, pays tribute and remembers our beloved artists who have passed on with our memorial Vassar Sunday.Hosted by long time friends of the park, Randy Judy and Beth Judy, Suwannee Roots Revival focuses on amazing roots music that ties together a weekend laced with community based fun, growing friendships, laughing families, and that feel good feeling you get from hanging out in such a beautiful natural setting.“Indeed, emotion and enjoyment have equal standing at the Suwannee Roots Revival,” writes No Depression’s Lee Zimmerman. “As festivals go, it’s close to pure perfection.”SOSMP offers guest comforts including a general store, full service restaurant, free showers, indoor bathrooms, and water stations. Upgraded Camping, including RV hook ups and cabin rentals, as well as golf cart rentals are currently on sale. Reservations may be made by calling the Park office at (386) 364­-1683. SOSMP is located between Jacksonville, Florida & Tallahassee, Florida about 30 minutes south of the Georgia State line, about 45 minutes north of Gainesville and is host to a variety of events. Please visit the park’s web site atwww.musicliveshere.com for further information.A limited number of Early Bird Tickets are on sale now for $140 for a 4-­day Weekend Pass which includes music, primitive camping (where is most cases you can camp right by your car!), all taxes, and handling fees. Kids age 12 and under are invited to join for free when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who buys a multi-day ticket. There are also military and student discounts available.Suwannee Roots Revival is encouraging folks to “Bring A Friend” that has never been to Suwannee Roots Revival. One of the rewards of bringing a new to Roots friend is a Bean Spence Signature Hat Pin – numbered and only available by this program. Complete “Bring A Friend” program details are forthcoming. See all rates and tiers and get tickets at www.suwanneerootsrevival.com/tickets. While you are there, sign up for our Suwannee Roots Revival Newsletter to make sure you get up to the minute information on festival happenings.Suwannee Roots Revival Initial Lineup 2018Keller Williams’ PettyGrass Featuring The HillBendersDonna the BuffaloThe Seldom SceneSamantha FishPeter Rowan Free Mexican AirforceJim LauderdaleVerlon ThompsonRev. Jeff MosierThe Lonely Heartstring BandTornado Rider Joe Craven & The SometimersThe Lee BoysSauce BossBelle and The BandWhetherman QuartermoonSloppy JoeTania & Magic Moon Traveling CircusMore to be announced…Further information atwww.SuwanneeRootsRevival.com. Also visit us on atwww.facebook.com/suwanneeroots,Twitter & Instagram: @SuwanneeRoots (#SuwanneeRoots)

LEXINGTON, VA — Flatpicking guitar phenom Larry Keel dazzles music-lovers once more with his 15th self-released album Experienced, out today, February 26, 2016. Del McCoury says, “Larry Keel is a triple threat… songwriter, guitar player, entertainer. He can do it all.” The album is an entirely original work that showcases both Larry’s and bandmate Will Lee’s exceptional songwriting, singing and jaw-dropping instrumental performances, accompanied by Keel’s equally talented wife Jenny Keel on upright bass and harmony vocals.

Added to the raw sophistication of Keel’s progressive acoustic style are several guest-musician-friends who appear on various tracks of Experienced, a list of artists that reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of icons and new stars including Sam Bush, Del McCoury, Peter Rowan, Keller Williams, Jason Carter (The Del McCoury Band), Mike Guggino (Steep Canyon Rangers), and Anders Beck (Greensky Bluegrass). The album was recorded at Wally Cleaver Studio in Fredericksburg, VA with engineer (and guest drummer) Jeff Covert and mastered by the award-winning industry great Bill Wolf (Willie Nelson, Tony Rice, Doc Watson) in Arlington, VA.

The seven tracks on Experienced reflect Keel’s musical personality, from frenzied and raunchy to mystical and sensitive, and through it all, Keel’s honest attitude shines, fearlessly and with throttle wide-open. “I love me some Keels. There is a certain genuine authenticity that Larry and Jenny possess,” says Keller Williams. “When we get together, our wonder-powers unite to form a giant, impenetrable sphere of open-minded, Appalachian psychedelic goodness.” Sam Bush (who plays mandolin and fiddle on the fiery opening track “Ripchord”) exclaims, ‘Enjoy the music… Larry does!”

Kind Words About Experienced

Experienced is on the rise on the Americana Music Association’s radio chart and currently at #25!

“Few people can get away with describing their music as an ‘experience.’ But then again, few words come close to actually describing the music of Larry Keel. To see Larry Keel perform is to have just that: a unique, singular experience that cannot be duplicated.” —Bluegrass Today, Brian Paul Swenk

“The Keels are the next generation of pickers, and the way they invite legends like Del (McCoury) and Sam (Bush) into their songs adds a punch to music that already punches you in the gut, a punch that makes you want to giddy up, to stand-up, to throw your hands up and slam your boot wearing feet in the ground and shout ‘Hallelujah’” —Relix Magazine’s Peter ShapiroRelix Magazine presented world premiere of Experienced
which is available to stream through the end of the day of the album release

“Not that many artists get to album number 15 in their career. With Experienced… Larry Keel hits that milestone… and he does so with more than a little help from his friends.” —Folk Alley premiered the song “Fill ’em Up Again.”

“[Keel] keeps things interesting by offering genre-bending novellas that demand attention and then subsequently, if not inevitably, satisfy it. The guy is simply too good to allow anyone a sense of comfort. Don’t dare click the stop button — you never know what might be coming around the playlist.”
—Frederick News-Post, Colin McGuire

“Always innovative and pushing boundaries, I was eager to see what type of magic Larry Keel could pull off with a list of guests that included Keller Williams, Del McCoury, and Sam Bush… To say that this album lived up to it’s hype would be an understatement. Every guest was utilized in a way that showcased their most impressive talents, yet this still clearly felt like a Larry Keel album the whole way through.” —Music Marauders, Mitch Melheim

“Keel’s record is beautiful–I love how the rawness of his voice (and playing) really lets the soul shine through the arrangements! I’ve always liked how he can go from sweet and sentimental to dirty and greasy and back.
I especially liked the song ‘Memories’” —Oliver Wood, The Wood BrothersThe Bluegrass Situation Premiered the song “Memories.”

“The album alternates from the sweet nostalgia of ‘Memories’ to the rough and raw ‘Fill ‘Em Up Again,’ to the spooky spirit-filled ‘Warrior,’ complete with Native American chanting from Rowan, similar to his work on ‘Land of the Navajo’ from the first ‘Old and In the Way’ album.” —Mountain Times, Jeff Eason

“It is clear just how much heart was put into each and every word written, and every note sang and played. It also seemed that Keel took the time to write songs that fit well with the musical stylings of his guests.”
—NYS Music, Amy Lieberman

“Experienced… represents an exploration of American roots music
with folk and blues making appearances on the record.”
—Americana Review, Jason Gartshore

“Listening to the new Larry Keel album Experienced is a revelation. It is a look at what music can be when stripped of preconceptions and when a blend of bluegrass, deep woods psychedelia and moonshine combine.”
—Consider Collective, Eric Rayburn

“Experienced is an album you’ll want to experience again and again.”
—Wildman Steve, The Corner News

LEXINGTON, VA — Flatpicking guitar phenom Larry Keel is set to release a his 15th album, Experienced, on February 26, 2016. Keel has a variety of musical formats swirling around the calendar each year: look out for his core band, The Larry Keel Experience (featuring Will Lee on 5 string banjo and vocals and Jenny Keel on upright bass and vocal harmonies). They are set to embark on an album release tour starting in late February with stops throughout the north and south eastern States including a couple of sets at Suwannee Springfest in Live Oak, FL and a lot of pickin’ gig on at Aiken Bluegrass Festival in South Carolina. See Larry’s full list of tour dates below including a few early February dates with Keller & the Keels, as well as All-star shows in Hawaii leading up to Valentine’s Day and at Winter Wondergrass in Vail in mid-February.

Experienced includes seven tracks and is an entirely original work that showcases both Larry’s and bandmate Will Lee’s exceptional songwriting, singing and jaw-dropping instrumental performances, accompanied by Keel’s equally talented wife Jenny Keel on upright bass and harmony vocals. It was recorded at Wally Cleaver Studio in Fredericksburg, VA with engineer (and guest drummer) Jeff Covert and mastered by the award-winning industry great Bill Wolf (Willie Nelson, Tony Rice, Doc Watson) in Arlington, VA.

Added to the raw sophistication of Keel’s progressive acoustic style are several guest-musician-friends who appear on various tracks of Experienced, a list of artists that reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of icons and new stars including Sam Bush, Del McCoury, Peter Rowan, Keller Williams, Jason Carter (The Del McCoury Band), Mike Guggino (Steep Canyon Rangers), and Anders Beck (Greensky Bluegrass). According to Larry, “This project is a collection of my songs and Will Lee’s music, developed further with the amazing talents of some of our musician friends and heroes. Very real. Very fresh.”

What folks are saying about Experienced

“Keel’s record is beautiful–I love how the rawness of his voice (and playing) really lets the soul shine through the arrangements! I’ve always liked how he can go from sweet and sentimental to dirty and greasy and back. I especially liked the song ‘Memories’” —Oliver Wood, The Wood Brothers

“Larry Keel is one of my favorite artists..his new cd has grit, warmth, vision, and is so real. Which is what makes this band the most kick ass band to ever raise hell this side of the old dominion.”
—Chance McCoy, Old Crow Medicine Show

“Experienced jimmies into your soul” —No Depression, Amos Perrine“Listening to the new Larry Keel album Experienced is a revelation. It is a look at what music can be when stripped of preconceptions and when a blend of bluegrass, deep woods psychedelia and moonshine combine.” —Consider Collective, Eric Rayburn

“The album alternates from the sweet nostalgia of ‘Memories’ to the rough and raw ‘Fill ‘Em Up Again,’ to the spooky spirit-filled ‘Warrior,’ complete with Native American chanting from Rowan, similar to his work on ‘Land of the Navajo’ from the first ‘Old and In the Way’ album.” —Mountain Times/ Watauga Democrat, Jeff Eason

“Not that many artists get to album number 15 in their career. With Experienced (due out February 26), flatpicking phenom Larry Keel hits that milestone… and he does so with more than a little help from his friends.” –Kelly McCartney, Folk Alley premiered the song “Fill ’em Up Again.” Stream it here →www.folkalley.com/archives/001465.php

“Larry Keel is a true original, be it traditional, progressive, improv- he does it all and with such joy. I love jamming with Keel. Enjoy the music, Larry does.”–Sam Bush

“Larry Keel, the Bluegrass Warrior, has kept the flame of mountain alive with intensity and clarity of singing and fiery guitar picking! Larry and Jenny both have big-ears and wide listening to open their music up to a growing young audience” —Peter Rowan

LEXINGTON, VA — Flatpicking guitar phenom Larry Keel dazzles music-lovers once more with his 15th self-released album Experienced, due out February 26, 2016. The album is an entirely original work that showcases both Larry’s and bandmate Will Lee’s exceptional songwriting, singing and jaw-dropping instrumental performances, accompanied by Keel’s equally talented wife Jenny Keel on upright bass and harmony vocals. It was recorded at Wally Cleaver Studio in Fredericksburg, VA with engineer (and guest drummer) Jeff Covert and mastered by the award-winning industry great Bill Wolf (Willie Nelson, Tony Rice, Doc Watson) in Arlington, VA.

Added to the raw sophistication of Keel’s progressive acoustic style are several guest-musician-friends who appear on various tracks of Experienced, a list of artists that reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of icons and new stars including Sam Bush, Del McCoury, Peter Rowan, Keller Williams, Jason Carter (The Del McCoury Band), Mike Guggino (Steep Canyon Rangers), and Anders Beck (Greensky Bluegrass). According to Larry, “This project is a collection of my songs and Will Lee’s music, developed further with the amazing talents of some of our musician friends and heroes. Very real. Very fresh.”

The seven tracks on Experienced reflect Keel’s musical personality, from frenzied and raunchy to mystical and sensitive, and through it all, Keel’s honest attitude shines, fearlessly and with throttle wide-open. As Sam Bush (who plays mandolin and fiddle on the fiery opening track “Ripchord”) says, ‘Enjoy the music… Larry does!” “‘Lil Miss” follows up with a cynical gibe at a mock Miss Prim and not-so-proper young lady of modern day society, set to a down and dirty blues-rock riff.

“Memories” (co-written by Larry and Jenny) is the portrait of the artist (Keel) gently swept away by life’s vast gallery of experiences and personal connections, and the poignant emotions that spring from it all. As the third track, it cools down the pace of things, letting the listener settle into the musical journey Keel has orchestrated.

“Larry Keel is a triple threat… songwriter, guitar player, entertainer. He can do it all,” says Del McCoury, who is featured on the playful and rollicking “‘Fill em Up Again” along with Carter and Guggino. “I think what makes Larry so powerful is that he has lived his songs, he’s not sitting in a room trying to write the hit of the week, he’s writing what’s in his heart and on his mind.”

“I love me some Keels. There is a certain genuine authenticity that Larry and Jenny possess,” says Keller Williams. “When we get together, our wonder-powers unite to form a giant, impenetrable sphere of open-minded, Appalachian psychedelic goodness.” Appropriately, Keller plays on the swelling and rolling “Miles and Miles,” which is a sort of metaphoric travel log of life on the road as a musician (and as a human being)… the key being to stay true to one’s own ‘voice’.

“The Warrior” is loosely based on the Carlos Castaneda book The Teachings of Don Juan and the search for knowledge by an old Yaqui Indian brujo. Peter Rowan joins on percussion instruments, yodeling and throat singing, adding a burning tension to the music, as the tale is sung in Keel’s gravely baritone. “The warrior is seeking the power… Standing tall he will never cower… He can see the spirits in the air… He can see the things that are not there.” The musicianship, lyrics and magical production combine to bring the listener down into the depths of the mystics and back out again in revelation.

Following “The Warrior”, the album’s gentle and refreshing closing melody, “Another Summer Day,” emits the feeling of resurfacing into the world, relaxed and carefree to enjoy the daylight and breeze. The tune was written and sung by Will Lee, with Anders Beck lending his intuitive touch on dobro and Jeff Covert carrying it along with a light drum beat.

“Larry is the yin and the yang,” declares Beck. “He will break your heart with a waltz, but he can also scare the hello out of you in the next song. He plays on the edge… no, strike that.. he creates genius guitar solos while staring over the edge and laughing maniacally.”

“This studio album was a complete blast to make, from start to finish,” says Jenny Keel. “Larry, Will and I, along with our exceptional engineer Jeff Covert coalesce into a working musical unit that push each other to higher and higher heights of magic, skill, art and energy. Add to that this cast of guests with all THEIR unique talents, and you have a recording that is pure enjoyment. Every detail of it!”

Throughout his prolific career, Keel has released 15 albums, including Experienced, and is featured on 10 others. Along with those that guest on the new album, Keel has performed with a multitude of top acoustic and electric musicians alive, and some now gone, including Vassar Clements, John Hartford, Tony Rice, Bill Monroe, Bob Weir, Jorma Kaukonen, Little Feat, Trombone Shorty, Railroad Earth, Leftover Salmon and many many others. Larry has written songs being performed by the likes of Del McCoury Band, Infamous Stringdusters and Yonder Mountain String Band and has a tune on Del McCoury’s GRAMMY-winning album The Company We Keep [2005] entitled ‘The Mountain Song.’